Finding Susie - On a Ranch in the American Southwest, Sandra Longs for a Pet, but Each Time She Tries to Adopt a Wild Animal, She Concludes That It Will Be Better Off Where It Belongs - Hardcover - First Edition, First Printing 2009

by Illustrated by Tom Pohrt by Sandra Day O'Connor

Excellent Book

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

Hardcover

First published June 23, 2009

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I missed the news that retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was writing another picture-book, following upon 2005's Chico , but my first inkling was the little blurb I read this past weekend in The New York Times Book Review. I am not a fan, generally speaking, of celebrity authors, nor of the notion that all it takes to write a children's book is a recognizable name. Obviously O'Connor isn't in the same category as Madonna, but I still approached Finding Susie with caution.

Fortunately, what I discovered in this book was an engaging tale of a young girl growing up on an Arizona-New Mexico ranch, longing for a special animal companion. Based upon the author's own childhood experiences, it follows young Sandra as she attempts to adopt a succession of wild animals, from Hercules the tortoise to Bob the bobcat, until finally finding the perfect pet. A warm-hearted tale of childhood and family, Finding Susie also has an underlying message about respecting wildlife, and not trying to domesticate it.

O'Connor's prose flows smoothly, and is well-matched by Tom Pohrt's appealing watercolor illustrations, which capture the earthy tones of the American southwest. While I wouldn't describe it as one the best picture-books of the season, this is still a solid contribution to the genre, and will be particularly appealing for young readers who, like Sandra, long for a true "best friend."

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Sandra's life on a desert cattle ranch, and her search for a perfect pet. First there was Hercules the desert turtle, then Daisy the hare, Slim Pickens the coyote, and Bob the bobcat, but all these animals preferred to be in the wild. Finally Susie a little white dog was introduced to Sandra.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to like about this picture book:
- the childhood of a woman we admire
- entertaining oneself
- desire for a pet
- wild animals are best left in the wild
- appealing illustrations
- copies of family photos

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book a lot more than I liked the last children's book I read about Sandra Day O'Connor. Who would have thought of keeping a coyote and a bobcat for a pet. That was one little girl that was seriously hurting for some animal companionship. Turtles? Fine. Rabbits? Just as well. But nothing that hunts its own meat. Simple rule.

[Salsabrarian]

Sandra longs for a pet and goes through a series of rather exotic and impractical ones (desert tortoise, bobcat) before finding the best one, a little white dog named Susie. An agreeable story that doesn't sound forced like so many other celebrity stories. The different animals as pets will intrigue urban-dwelling kids. Oddly, though, the faces of the human characters all look the same.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, this is a semi-autobiographical account of her young life in the southwest desert trying to persuade her parents to let her have a pet. She tries a tortoise, a rabbit, a coyote and even a bobcat before someone finally gives her a dog.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing wasn't very good, and I didn't think the illustrations were great....but I did like the story. I, like Sandra Day O'Connor was one of those kids who desperately wanted a pet and would have adopted all manner of things until I found the right one.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a good book, and no matter how successful the author was as a supreme court justice, I hope she finds other things to do in her retirement. Yeesh.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful personal story

[Susan]

Interesting that it is by S.Day O'Connor but not a nec. Pur. for H.

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra desperately wants an animal friend that she can talk to and love. After several failed attempts the perfect animal comes along.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure to appeal to animal and pet lovers. A sweet tale of the author's slow, but persistent quest to find the ideal animal companion.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful personal story

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor shares her childhood quest for the perfect pet. In her attempt to prove to her parents she was responsible enough for a pet, Sandra brought home lost, abandoned and wounded wild animals she found on the ranch in Arizona she called home. From tortoises and rabbits to coyotes and bobcats, Sandra learns with each one that wild animals belong in the wild. Then one day on a visit to town a stray comes into her life that is just perfect ... can you guess what it is?